Overview

The Essential Guide to Psychoactive Drugs in Canada, Third Edition provides a practical understanding of psychoactive drug pharmacology and physiology, accessibly unpacking the risks and therapeutic applications of the most commonly used and misused drug families, including depressants, opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens, and psychotherapeutics. Rick Csiernik demystifies the misuse of prescription compounds, as well as drugs that are new to North American communities such as captagon, xylazine, and nitazene. This third edition continues the work of the previous editions, featuring thoroughly updated references as well as new boxes focusing on key contemporary pharmacological issues including differences in opioid versus stimulant overdose, e-cigarettes and vaping, psychedelic assisted therapy, microdosing, and Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol. The appendices are expanded to include an easy-to-read summary of the effects of active drug use and withdrawal as well as the effects of psychoactive drugs on adolescents and seniors. Light on jargon and heavy on evidence, The Essential Guide to Psychoactive Drugs in Canada supplies the blueprints that every service provider needs to dispense sound, evidence-based care and is an ideal resource for counsellors, therapists, instructors, and students looking to acquire an in-depth practical understanding of drug use, medication, and addiction.

Full Product Details

9781773385044

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Presented in a way that is both holistic and accessible, this text debunks the mysteries behind the power of substance misuse and addiction by helping us understand the brain and how the introduction of drugs to this closed system may create havoc in the lives of the users… Organized in efficient chapters with quizzes, learning activities, and case studies, the text allows both learners and experienced practitioners the chance for self-reflection and, thus, creates teachable moments for students and clients. This is a must-have text on your resource shelf. The world of drugs is changing rapidly, so it behooves active practitioners, teachers, and students to ensure their own currency, readiness, and ability to meet the challenges of this field. Rick Csiernik's newest text certainly will help us do just that."" —Heidi Stanley, BA, BEd, MEd, Coordinator, Addictions: Treatment and Prevention Program, Georgian College ""The Essential Guide to Psychoactive Drugs in Canada is an invaluable resource. Already adopted in several of my social work courses, I also carried the first edition of this text with me to every social work practice class, as most students only receive a rudimentary education in psychoactive drugs and their effects, but the topic touches almost every case we discuss in some way. The socio-historical-political context provided is a unique feature not included in most drug reference manuals. Like all of Csiernik's work, it's a brilliant teaching tool."" —Tanya Shute, RSW, MSW, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Laurentian University

Author Information

Rick Csiernik is Senior Instructor, Addiction Studies Program, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work, King's University College at Western University, and was co-developer of the McMaster University Addiction Studies Program. Csiernik has authored and edited several best-selling Canadian Scholars titles. He is also the author of more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and has been recipient of the King's University College Award for Excellence in Teaching, the McMaster University Instructor Appreciation Award, the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, and the Jeff Wilbee Award for leadership in the field of addiction.

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